Liturgical Ministries

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them: for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” Matthew 19:14.

Children between the ages of six and nine may participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. They are dismissed from the 9:30 Sunday Mass before the first scripture reading and return during the Offertory hymn. In these gatherings, they listen to the Word of God; engage in activities that aid their understanding of what they have heard; and participate in the Prayer of the Faithful.

Volunteer adult leaders work once a month in teams of two or three. They are required to be fingerprinted and participate in a special training program, VIRTUS® Child Abuse Prevention, that is offered through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Safeguard the Children program. If you are interested in this ministry, contact the coordinator Patricia Burton. For a copy of their brochure, click on Children's Liturgy of the Word.

“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise,” Psalm 51:17.

Lectors proclaim the readings from sacred Scripture readings, except for the Gospel. They lead the Prayer of the Faithful, and lead the responsorial psalm when it is not sung. Beyond the skills needed for by any good public speaker, being a good lector requires the ability to communicate a sense of prayerfulness and reverence. To participate in this ministry, you must 1) be a practicing Catholic and fully-initiated (Baptized, Confirmed, and received First Eucharist); 2) be a registered member of St. Bartholomew; and 3) attend scheduled training and ongoing formation opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a lector contact the coordinator, Joan Surfus. For a PDF copy of their brochure, click Lectors.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, a hymn in the assembly of the faithful,” Psalm 149:1.

Music ministry is an integral part of the liturgical life of the Church. Music expresses the faith of the Church, but also builds unity and harmony. The choir, the cantor, and the instrumentalists all contribute to the singing at Mass. They carry out the parts assigned to them and foster “the active participation of the faithful by means of singing.” Much of the music of the liturgy is based on Scripture, and on the words and life of Christ. When members of the Church pray and sing, their words are infused with Christ’s words.

The Music & Liturgy Director oversees the musical element of the Mass by orchestrating all aspects of musical liturgy. The director leads the parish choir, which provides traditional organ music at the 11:00 Sunday Mass, on Holy Days of Obligation, and at other liturgical celebrations from mid-September through Pentecost Sunday. Additionally on Sundays, the director oversees a contemporary guitar ensemble that sings at the 9:30 Mass. If you are interested in joining the parish choir or serving as a cantor, contact the Music & Liturgy Director, Brian Archambault. For a PDF of their brochure copy, click Music Ministry.